Artists are constantly coerced to follow and obey ‘traditional’ dos and don’ts in regards to their practice in the 21st century. These so-called ‘traditions’ are no longer self-evident because they are no longer contemporary. The art community and marketplace has changed drastically! There are no right and wrong ways to get your work noticed! Don’t be the last one to realize this ‘truth’ because it’s irresponsible and hazardous to your career to think any different. Remember all art is subjective and shouldn’t be influenced and dictated by the whims and taste of the 1% who are known to have very bad taste.

In the 20th century art galleries, art critic was ‘King’ and could make or break artists and programs with words printed on paper but that has changed. In the 21st century the social media’s global reach, auction houses record setting prices for new works by young BFA’s fresh out of art school and the ‘art fairs’ rapid growth as the place to be seen doing business and is the status quo. Now we have ‘reality’ show art critics with the mentality if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all. There are a few serious art critics left but the majority of them have gone out to pasture, accepted faculty positions or worse have no opinion on anything for fear of losing their social status!

The 1% are the product of wealthy, methodical, greed filled collectors and art dealers who are so far removed from the essence of ‘Art’ that they no longer see the humanity; only dollar signs. If you fall under the 99% you are invisible, voiceless and expendable to the 1%. The problem is the majority of the 99% are so brainwashed and diluted by the ‘traditions’ and ‘heresy’ of the old guard that they don’t realize that the so-called ‘traditions’ are meaningless and worthless. Don’t wait until you’re lying on your deathbed to come to your senses. You will die alone, bitter, and penniless and no one will remember your art, not to mention your name! This is my nightmare (this is every real artists’ nightmare) and no one deserves this fate. What’s at stake is your legacy. If you don’t market and promote and plan accordingly for your untimely demise, your obscure lifework will have a solo one night only exhibition at the dumpster down the street from your studio or apartment with your only hope being some young artist recycling the canvas and covering up your work to be discovered at a later date if you’re lucky!

The artist #1 job is to get the work where the public at large can see it! Never mind the right collector, the right art fair or the right gallery! The World is large and filled with art enthusiasts that would love to hang your piece on their wall if they were exposed to your work. You only have one life and I implore you to start living it now!

“Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better, you have to take things into your own hands.” -Clint Eastwood